Political Beasts

Migration

“After deeply exploring my family’s genealogical history with my mother, I’ve gained a profound empathy for modern migrants. The daring journeys my ancestors undertook in search of a better life resonate with me on a personal level, and I now see the courage and resilience required to pursue a brighter future. Their struggles have ignited a passion within me to honor the bold paths they paved—paths filled with hope, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of something better“

Lunatic Fringe

mixed media on paper, 7.5×5, by Cedar Fox, 2021 (available)

“As extremism gained traction in America, it was initially dismissed as a fringe movement. Yet, over time, these small but growing extreme groups were encouraged and reassured that they were valued—even though their beliefs contradicted the fundamental principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every individual. Surely, this could never become mainstream”

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -Mark Twain

Tanks for Nothing

mixed media on paper, by Cedar Fox, 14×17, 2022 (available)

“This powerful painting was born in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Putin’s reckless aggression continues to inspire others like him, and it’s clear that we need a leader of the free world who won’t elevate him to an even greater position of power by idolizing him. The former KGB agent, cold as steel, is devoid of empathy. He’s been shaping monsters who rule through misinformation and fear—tactics that are now taking root here in America. His only concern is the fragile ego he clings to, a true embodiment of evil, with a capital E”

“There comes a time when silence is betrayal” -Martin luther King, Jr.

Hooked: Unnecessary Intervention

12×48″, mixed media on canvas by Cedar Fox, 2021 (available)

“This piece is about the struggles to stay on target while on the internet. You are being seen and lured into all sorts of directions and while fabulously appealing, your intentions and time are swayed with expertly marketed directions to solve problems you did not think you had….“

"The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, ratified on December 15th, 1791, grants me the vital freedom of speech as an American citizen. It protects my right to speak, write, protest, assemble, and practice any religion—or none at all. I choose to embrace these freedoms, for which my ancestors fought and sacrificed, and as a deeply rooted citizen, I believe it is my duty to shine a light where darkness has taken hold. As an artist, I feel compelled to confront the pervasive corruption that seeks to infiltrate power, using my pencil, brush, and keyboard as tools of resistance. It is a privilege to both speak and create art, so why not use this gift to address the issues that truly matter?"

Just Woman; Woe Man

mixed media on wood panel, by Cedar Fox, 8×8, 2022 (available)

“What can I say about this piece? In June of 2022, our country took a step backward, stripping away rights for the first time in history. Now, women are suffering and losing their lives, once again. I personally understand the pain—having lost a baby in 2000—and the very procedures that saved my life would not be permitted today. I did nothing wrong. The women affected now are victims of decision-makers who oversimplify medical complexities and are part of a broader movement to suppress women. In Wisconsin, women are governed by a law from 1849, with outdated language and severe threats to doctors who face the impossible choice between their medical oath and an archaic, nonsensical law. Ignorance may be bliss for those unaffected, but for many of us, it’s a harsh reality”

“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn” -Benjamin Franklin

“One Fish, Two Fish”

mixed media diptych laced with metallic inks of blue and copper. Each side is an 8×24″ canvas by Cedar Fox, 2024 (available at Oh! Arts Gallery in Mauston, Wisconsin)

“This diptych was born from the undeniable pressure in America to pick a side. A relentless barrage of falsehoods aimed at demonizing certain groups, distracting us from the true corruption at play. As history has shown time and time again, often misinterpreted or forgotten—divide and conquer”

A Devil I Know

mixed media on wood panel, by Cedar Fox, 8×8, 2022 (available)

“Behind the scenes, we all know one of these”

“Our World is not divided by race, color, gender, or religion. Our world is divided into wise people and fools. And fools divide themselves by race, color, gender, or religion” -Nelson Mandela

The waiting Place

ink on gesso-ed paper, 8×10″, by Cedar Fox, 2022 (available)

“This painting reflects the forgotten animals—those who are lost, neglected, sick, unkempt, or aged—waiting to be seen, to be deemed worthy of help in their suffering. It speaks to those who still held on to the hope that love and care would eventually come, if only someone would recognize their need. Even in death, some continued to wait”

The Sentience of Catbird

mixed media on canvas, by Cedar Fox, 12x60x3, 2019 (available)

“My first paid job was at the local animal shelter and little did I know how deeply it would impact me. Witnessing the way in which we treat animals has stayed with me, haunting me even to this day. In my dreams, these animals often merge into one, and among them, there is a figure—an enigmatic being with antlers, dark, deep eyes, and no mouth—who seems to shepherd them. I’ve painted this figure in several works since that first encounter, always appearing as a comforting presence for us all”

Hunka Hunka Burnin’

mixed media art mask by Cedar Fox, 2022 (available)

“Since the mid-eighties, my high school classes warned us that without radical changes to our greenhouse gas emissions, we would face extreme weather events driven by climate change. The truth is, none of this is new. We knew we were heading down the wrong path, and our refusal to acknowledge it meant we failed to change course. Ignoring the expertise of those who dedicated their lives to collecting data has led to the extreme disasters we face today. This mask we now wear is fragile, made of ash, and ready to crumble under our careless touch. We owe an apology to our children, grandchildren, and all future generations, though no apology will reverse the damage. We danced blindly into disaster“